SEIZURE GALORE BY THE FOU ‘A’ , AS N3.6 BILLION GOODS ARE INTERCEPTED IN JUNE ALONE
It is seizure galore by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) zone A as more than N3.6 billion goods including bullet proofs and drugs were intercepted by the Unit in the month of June alone.
Briefing newsmen in Ikeja today, the Controller of the Unit, Comptroller IK Oladeji disclosed that though, smuggling is reducing but the smugglers are also more than ever determined as they have taken the illegal trade as a profession.
He said smugglers were now so ingenious creating bunkers in their vehicles to conceal parcels of drugs, Indian hemp (cannabis sativa).
Major items seized include; 1,500 pieces of bullet proof jackets, 989 kg of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) and 5,229 cartons of expired drugs. These decisive and uncompromising actions took place at various times and locations within the South-Western States.
According to him, security is the bed-rock of Nigeria’s economy which underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving self-sustaining growth that would enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
The Controller said in furtherance of the Federal Government’s resolve to achieve this commitment, our dedicated officers executed a series of operations that resulted in the interception of these seizures.
He said, ‘You may recall that some security and medical experts reported that people who take illicit drugs can lead to mental health cases, and are most often motivated for the wrong reasons; where extreme motivations could lead to loss of conscience that aids the commission of crimes’. The intake of expired drugs can have serious health consequences on the kidneys and the liver, inclusive of the development of allergies and lowering of immunity.
He stated that, worthy of note is the fact that under Schedule four (4) of the Customs Common External Tariff (CET), the importation of all kinds of military wares by individuals is under “absolute prohibition”. An End-User Certificate (E U C) is required for the importation of controlled items and products into Nigeria.
He said an E U C is an undertaking by a purchaser/importer that any of the controlled items/products would be for lawful use within Nigeria; and must not be transferred or re-exported to any other entity or country prior written consent of the issuing authority, which is the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Other items seized within the month of June include:343,750 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS) 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice at 50 kg each32 units of used motor vehicles were intercepted120 bags of sugar at 50 kg each3,560 cartons of poultry products 4 suspects were apprehended in connection with various offenses, including violating import/export guidelines, concealment, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives.
According to him, the cumulative duty paid value of the intercepted goods amounts to Three Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Four Thousand, Six Hundred Naira (N3, 636,594,600).
Furthermore, the Unit recovered the sum of Sixty-two Million, Seventeen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-five Naira, Eighty-two Kobo (N62, 017,875.82) in revenue for the month of June 20024 through meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of Demand Notices on consignments that were found to have paid lesser amounts than the appropriate Customs duties.
The Controller implores all patriotic citizens to provide useful and timely information that would lead to the arrest of illegal importation of military wares, illicit drugs and counterfeiting goods. Importers and licensed agents are also urged to make sincere declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their goods.